From Uncertainty to Action: Our Bladder Cancer Awareness Month 2023 Report

Every year, the month of May is a significant time for our community. It is when we join forces for the Bladder Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM). Explore our latest campaign report full of highlights of global participation and unique initiatives to raise awareness in local communities.

In 2023, we embarked on a revised mission with the “Feeling Unsure? Get Checked” campaign, part of our continued efforts for Bladder Cancer Awareness Month.

WBCPC team joined SIU43 Congress in Istanbul

The World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition team attended the 43rd Annual SIU Congress – a leading global event organised by Société Internationale d’Urologie convening urologists worldwide.

We hosted a WBCPC Booth in the exhibit hall, where we welcomed urologists to learn more about the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition and our member organisations. In conversations with visitors from various countries, we learned about local challenges faced by people affected by bladder cancer and local resource needs.

Global Bladder Cancer Patient Survey results presented at SIU Congress

This week, the WBCPC President, Dr Lydia Makaroff, took the stage at the 43rd Congress of the Société Internationale d’Urologie in Istanbul, Türkiye, to present the latest research work from the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition.

The poster presents the key findings of the WBCPC Bladder Cancer Patient & Carer Experience Survey – it showcases firsthand insights of patients and carers with their own bladder cancer experience and the importance of awareness raising and peer support.

World Mental Health Day 2023: Recognising mental health as a Universal Right

The World Health Organisation recognises World Mental Health Day on October 10, 2023, every year. This year’s theme, set by the World Federation for Mental Health, is “Mental Health is a universal human right”.

Whilst the COVID-19 pandemic has, and continues to take its toll on our mental health, the ability to reconnect through World Mental Health Day 2023 will provide us with an opportunity to re-kindle our efforts to protect and improve mental health.

Global Insights into Bladder Cancer Care: A Comprehensive Survey

The World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition in collaboration with UroToday launched a four-part video series to discuss the findings from the Global Bladder Cancer Patient and Carer Experience Survey. Chaired by Dr Ashish Kamat, each episode covers different areas of patient pathway with unique reflections from experts who have contributed to the project.

In this first episode of video series organised by Urotoday.com and the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition,

Stay informed: September newsletter is out now!

This September edition of the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition newsletter features the latest news from the bladder cancer community around the world. In particular, we focus on:

  • The World Bladder Cancer Patient Forum 2023 which will take place in a couple of weeks in Madrid, Spain and will bring the global bladder cancer patient community together for a day full of important discussions, learnings, sharing ideas, networking and empowering each other.

EU White Paper on Bladder Cancer launched

The World Bladder Cancer Coalition (WBCPC) published a White Paper on Bladder Cancer together with the European Association of Urology. This policy-oriented document outlines a number of policy recommendations to take advantage of existing legislative opportunities in the European Union and opportunities for policy change in the future. Launched in the European Parliament on September 25th, the White Paper on Bladder Cancer aims to bring greater policy attention to impact of bladder cancer in Europe.

Policy Roundtable: Stepping up for bladder cancer patients in Europe.

On September 25, together with the European Association of Urology we were delighted to bring together key stakeholders for a policy roundtable hosted by MEP István Ujhelyi marking the launch of the European White Paper on Bladder Cancer.

Bladder cancer is the 5th most common cancer in Europe. Despite having one of the highest lifetime costs of any cancer, the research funding is among the lowest. Lack of bladder cancer awareness drastically hinders early detection,

Urology Week 2023: breaking taboo and raising incontinence awareness

Urology Week is a European initiative run by the European Association of Urology (EAU) and will take place from 24-30 September 2023 and aims to raise awareness about incontinence challenges and break the taboo around talking about incontinence.

Worldwide, over 570,000 people are diagnosed with bladder cancer. In Europe, the disease affects around 200,000 people each year, making it the fifth most commonly diagnosed cancer.

Urinary incontinence impacts people affected by bladder cancer.

BCAM Grant 2023 – Oncoguia’s impactful bladder cancer awareness initiatives

For the second consecutive year, the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition was thrilled to offer the Bladder Cancer Awareness Month Grants (BCAM Grant) in 2023. The BCAM Grants enable patient organisations, support, or advocacy groups in low and middle-income countries to bring awareness to bladder cancer in their communities.

This year, one of our BCAM grant awardees Instituto Oncoguia organised activities in Brazil. They have made wonderful efforts to bring awareness to bladder cancer in their community in May and beyond.